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Clipper news: Injured Eric Gordon won't fly to Dallas with team

January 24, 2011 | 1:47
pm

Clipper guard Eric Gordon, hit with a variety of injuries last week, won’t be flying with the team to Dallas today (Monday) for the start of a two-game trip in Texas.

Gordon’s right wrist is the main issue, the injury potentially keeping him out of the lineup. He sprained it when he tried to break a hard fall in the second half against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.

“He’s going to go get evaluated by another doctor today,” said Clipper Coach Vinny Del Negro. “And then probably fly into Dallas or see what the doctor says and see how he feels. Probably a game-time decision. We should know more [later].

“He didn’t practice today, and we want him to get evaluated a little bit more. We’ll make that decision as we go.”

Gordon, the team’s leading scorer, had an MRI on his wrist and back Sunday, and it did not show any additional damage beyond the sprained wrist. Del Negro said there was still some swelling but that the wrist was “a little bit better” today.

“We want to be smart and protect him,” Del Negro said.

The first of the three injuries occurred on Wednesday when Gordon tore a tendon in his right ring finger, and he is wearing a splint on the finger for protection.

Should Gordon miss action, Randy Foye would start at shooting guard and little-used Rasual Butler would likely get back in the lineup. Gordon is averaging 24.1 points and has scored 20 or more points in the last nine games.

— Lisa Dillman

Photo: Eric Gordon is checked on by a trainer after being injured against Golden State. Credit: Kelvin Kuo / US Presswire